Lifestyle
Across Zimbabwe, British scones are the taste of home
HARARE – A sweet doughy treat from Britain has become a beloved part of Zimbabwe’s national cuisine, where despite the country’s colonial past, mothers and chefs alike now claim the pastry as their own.
The scone, which Brits normally enjoy with afternoon tea, is ubiquitous in Harare, the southern African country’s capital.
A breakfast favourite in these parts, it can be found everywhere from high-end eateries to the market stalls of impoverished townships.
“We love scones. They are not British, they are ours, our local scones,” Nyari Mashayamombe, a rights activist, says as she leaves an upmarket restaurant in Harare’s Belgravia district, its garden dotted with open umbrellas
Dense yet airy, Zimbabwean scones are the result of the intercultural mix that came with colonisation, says Mashayamombe, a red-haired 42-year-old who is also a singer and media personality.
In “fancy places like here… a beautiful scone goes as high as six bucks,” she said, referring to the American dollars that have become Zimbabwe’s parallel and preferred currency.
“It’s worth it.”
A few kilometres away at a market in Harare’s oldest township of Mbare, scones are impossible to find after midday.
“We sold them all this morning. They move quickly,” one vendor says.
The main communal bakery in Mbare, a bustling working-class district, opens at dawn.
Tawanda Mutyakureva, 26, arrives at around five in the morning to his work station, measuring two square metres, where he has to bend over to spread the dough on a knee-height countertop.
Every day he cranks out around 200 scones in an overheated room with cinder-block walls, lit by two bulbs hanging from a wire.
Brandishing a cookie cutter, he works quickly to whip out one batch after another, with each scone selling for 25 American cents.
In the hot, humid atmosphere redolent of yeast, his wife – with their baby strapped to her back – helps him with buttering the pastries and clearing plates.
Resellers come in to buy 10 or 20 pieces that will be sold at small grocery stores.
Memory Mutero, 46, was at the bakery to buy bread, since she makes her own scones at home.
“I make scones for my three kids. It takes about 45 minutes,” she tells AFP.
Her ingredients are simple: flour, salt, yeast, sugar, butter and milk.
But at the Bottom Drawer, an upscale tearoom in Harare, cook Veronica Makonese is unimpressed after tasting a scone brought back from the township.
“There is no milk in those, they used water!” the 46-year-old claims.
A white kerchief on her head, Makonese says she makes her own buttermilk for her scones, to control temperature and acidity levels, and uses only real butter to ensure the proper taste and softness.
Her boss, Sarah Macmillan, a 53-year-old Zimbabwean, says she longs for the scones she would eat as a child.
Back then, two shops in the centre of Harare, now closed, competed for the crown of best scone in the country, and Macmillan wanted her tearoom to make some that are “just as good”.
Macmillan says the secret of the little cake’s enduring success, in a country struggling with endemic poverty, is simple: “It’s very filling and affordable.” – AFP
BY NOTHANDO DUBE
Are leaders born or made? This question sparks debate among scholars. Meet 14-year-old Kimberly Simukai, a young female leader who embodies the answer. Despite her age, Kimberly has already achieved an impressive list of accolades, including being elected to Junior Parliament and serving as Head of SADC Council. In this interview, we delve into Kimberly’s journey and explore her passion for public speaking, leadership, and empowering women.
Our reporter Nothando with Kimberly
N.D: What sparked your interest in Public Speaking, and how did your training in grade three lay the foundation for your current success?
K.S: Well, Public Speaking is all about an audience and you can not call yourself a public speaker when you are a social introvert. So, I think I was always someone who enjoyed talking to people and sharing information with them, so I guess my love for people sparked my interest in public speaking. In the whole journey, I underwent a military public speaking training by my mentor, Miss N Dube and because of the training I grew to realize that this is what I wanted to do and she made me strong to face all obstacles and mountains. I believe all this contributed to my success today.
N.D Can you share a memorable moment or experience from your public speaking journey so far, and how it has impacted in your confidence and skills?
K.S: Well, I still remember when my coach told me to talk to the wall and use it as my audience just because I had failed to rehearse a certain paragraph and now, I have seen the results of it as I am now confident to talk to anyone or any audience.
N. D: As a Form 1 student, being elected into the Junior Parliament is a remarkable achievement. What motivated you to run for office, and what do you hope to achieve in your role as Head of SADC Council?
K. S: As a form 1 student, being elected into Junior Parliament was something that seemed impossible to many and I still remember when I used to tell my mom about Junior Parliament, she would just laugh, thinking that I am making jokes, but I never stopped believing in my dream and I want to be the change so I needed a platform and standing ground for me to do that. That is why I decided to go for it. As the Head of Student Council, an Esteemed Ambassador, I hope to achieve a goal driven nation led by not only men but women as well as a way of promoting women empowerment.
N. D: How do you balance your academic responsibilities with your extracurricular activities, particularly your public speaking engagements and Junior Parliament duties?
K. S: Ever since I was young, I was nurtured and brought up in such a way that I learnt how to manage my academics and my extra- curricular activities at the same time without lacking in any one of them due to the other activity and my journey did not start now. I started in primary school and I used to travel away from school for weeks for chess or public speaking competitions and I would still come back to my school work, so yeah, I have just continued with that and I have never failed. I am an active chess player and I also play golf.
N.D: What advice would you give to younger girls who may be hesitant to pursue public speaking or leadership roles, and how can they overcome any obstacles or self -doubt?
K.S: As girls we have always suffered from toxic masculinity of the opposite sex, always subjected to chores as our duty, but I always tell myself that women are the ones that bring the male species into the world so why allow ourselves to be oppressed by our own produce. As women we need to remember that there is no such a thing as men jobs only, girls and women can take up anything at all. Women are known to have persuasive tongues so public speaking is a smooth sail for women as we were born with this attribute. The only barrier for many women across the world is fear and being scared of doing what others are not doing as a result we tend to be subjects of oppression. Whilst men use their masculinity to show their availability, why not use our mouths as well as women to do the same.
N.D: Looking ahead, what are your long-term goals and aspirations, and how do you see your public speaking skills and Junior Parliament experience shaping your future endeavors?
K. S: I have always dreamt of becoming the first female president of Zimbabwe so with my experience in the Junior Parliament of Zimbabwe and SADC Junior Motivators Parliament and Public Speaking skills, I think that’s where I am headed to. I am also aiming at representing my country in international forums.
BY BAYANDA NKATHA
Sheynnis Palacios, the current Miss Universe World, arrived in Victoria Falls on Wednesday as part of her world tour before relinquishing her crown in November.
During her two-day visit, she experienced the best of Zimbabwe’s tourism offerings, including a sunset cruise, interaction with wildlife, and a tour of the Falls.
“I am impressed by the hospitality of the Zimbabwean people,” Palacios said. “Everyone is so welcoming, and Victoria Falls is breathtaking. I will definitely market this beautiful country.”
Palacios was accompanied by Tendai Hunda, Miss Universe Zimbabwe license holder, Brooke Bruk-Jackson, Miss Universe Zimbabwe 2023, and Zodwa Mnkandla, a Miss Universe board member.
They were hosted by Miniyothabo Baloyi-Chiwenga, wife of Vice President Constantine Chiwenga.
Baloyi-Chiwenga, chairperson of Miss Universe Zimbabwe, emphasized the significance of Palacios’ visit. “This is our way of saying, ‘Come and visit Zimbabwe; it’s safe.’ We are thrilled to have Miss Universe World as part of our strategy to market the ‘Brand Zimbabwe’ campaign.”
Palacios’ visit comes shortly after Nicaragua opened its embassy in Harare, strengthening ties between the two nations. As the first Nicaraguan to win Miss Universe, Palacios is making her maiden visit to Victoria Falls and Zimbabwe.
She had previously represented Nicaragua in the 2017 Teen Miss Universe pageant and the 2021 Miss World pageant.
“I am excited to be here and experience all that Zimbabwe has to offer,” Palacios said. “I will ensure that I market this beautiful country and encourage others to visit.
-
Slider2 years agoInnscor launches brewery to produce Nyathi beer
-
National3 years agoIn perched rural Matabeleland North, renewable energy is vital
-
Tourism and Environment3 years agoStrive Masiyiwa’s daughter opens luxury Victoria Falls lodge
-
Opinion3 years agoA street art mural in Zimbabwe exposes a divided society
-
National2 years agoCommission of inquiry findings fail to be tabled as Victoria Falls councillors fight
-
National3 years agoVictoria Falls’ pilot dies in helicopter crash
-
National2 years agoHwange coal miner fires workers over salary dispute
-
National3 years agoVictoria Falls bartender gored to death by elephant